There’s something so empowering about walking into a room, and having people turn their heads. It’s rarely because of how you look, but mainly because you enter and leave behind positive energy.
On a more scent-specific note, I’ve always been obsessed with nailing the “you look like you smell good” aesthetic—where everything from your fragrance to your skin’s glow tells a story.
Near the end of last year, I discovered Krigler’s Villa Isar 224 ($42). When I opened the nozzle and spritzed it on my wrist for the first time, it left a captivating, warm blend with just a hint of chocolate aroma. I was instantly in love. Its signature notes are cocoa, honey, almond, caramel, vanilla, cream, licorice and tonka bean. The first time I applied it to my skin, it left an intoxicating scent that lingered all day. It wasn’t just about how it made me look or smell; it was how it made me feel—confident, alluring and unapologetically in my IT Girl era.
I decided to test it out for a month (and play with some layering combinations in the process). On the weekdays, I layer it with Fenty Beauty Fenty Eau de Parfum ($140) to give it a warm, inviting aroma that commands attention without trying too hard. On the weekends, especially when I go out, I like to layer it with Balmain Beauty Carbone Eau de Parfum ($260) or Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille ($300) to give it a deep, woody tone.
Whenever I travel into New York on the train, men who walk by me do a double take and stop to tell me I smell good. Because of the top notes of vanilla and tonka bean, it leaves a long-lasting scent on your body that lasts all day. Men have stopped mid-set at the gym to ask what scent I’m wearing. Even when passing by them in the locker room or just going to a new machine, they ask what the scent is so they can purchase it for their wives. During errands or grocery store runs, casual conversations somehow find their way to compliments on how good I smell.
At work events, I’ve had colleagues stop me to ask about my fragrance—often with a tone of genuine curiosity and attention. I even wore it by itself on a first date (yes, in my entire life) a few months ago, and a man couldn’t stop hugging me.
The Krigler’s Villa Isar 224 reminds me of an expensive chocolate cake mixed with vanilla, caramel and honey. Now, I’m a vanilla connoisseur because that’s my signature scent, but this chocolate fragrance from Krigler gives “I’m expensive” energy. From the moment you spray it, it absorbs effortlessly, leaving a chocolate fragrance on your skin that’s the perfect addition to any beauty routine.
While you could easily chalk it up to a gourmand, this fragrance gives me winter vibes. (Think sitting right by the fireplace, wearing an oversized sweater, sipping a hot cup of cocoa and enjoying the winter wonderland.) I have different versions of vanilla in every corner of my studio apartment, and I can honestly say this fragrance is truly unique to my collection. It’s also become my can’t-skip accessory before I walk outside. I start by applying the perfume right before I head out the door, letting it absorb into my skin. Its rich notes of cream, licorice and tonka bean create a balance that pairs seamlessly with my signature vanilla scent.
Scent is more than just an accessory—it’s an extension of who you are. With this fragrance, I feel like my most confident, captivating self, no matter where I go.